Advocacy Kit

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many opportunities to help out at the library! You can put your skills and interests to use in a variety of ways. Just look below at the variety of tasks, and talk to the library staff about what you think would be the best fit for you!

Library Advocacy:

  • Write letters to the editor about the library!
  • Write letters to city council, mayor, and legislators about library support.
  • If you know a business owner, help us make inroads with them for possible support of library programs.
  • Assist us in promoting the library as a community resource (put up flyers, give advice on publicity, etc.)

Library Outreach:

  • Deliver library materials to people who have a hard time leaving their home.
  • Help in book drives for our outreach efforts to detention facilities.
  • Help establish or maintain a books-for-babies program (to give a book to each baby born in the local hospital)
  • Are you fluent in Spanish/Somali/Hmong? Help us better serve our community members who don’t speak much English—translation, interpreting, promotion, collection development and one-on-one help to English Language Learners.
  • Start an English language conversation club at the library, for people learning English to practice their skills in an informal setting.

Library displays and operations:

  • Write reviews of books, audio or video materials to post on our bulletin board.
  • Create book displays.
  • Create bulletin board displays.
  • Help organize local history resources.
  • Help prepare craft materials for children’s programming.
  • Have a green thumb? Work on the garden in our front yard or help tend our indoor plants.
  • Help prepare materials for the Friends of the Library book sales.
  • Put our books back in order
  • Repair books, tapes, CDs, etc. (training provided)
  • Assist with getting our new materials ready to circulate
  • Help us with clerical tasks (photocopying, filing, etc)

Library Programming:

  • Teach a basic computer class or an introduction to the internet class.
  • Help kids with homework after school.
  • Form a readers’ theater or puppet troupe to perform at library programs.
  • Help chaperone at teen programs.
  • Help with crafts, snacks, stories at kids’ programs.
  • Lead a book discussion group.

Do you have a special talent or interest?

  • Present a program for kids, teens, or adults about it.
  • Make a pathfinder for finding materials in the library and online about it.
  • Make a display at the library, including library materials, about your interest.
  • Suggest library materials to us about your area of expertise.